Obviously I have always felt that my brain functions differently than those around me which is why I sort out an ADHD assessment in the first place but in all honesty I didn't think about what I would do moving forward from a diagnosis because I genuinely thought I'd be told I was barking up the wrong tree.
I was diagnosed this March with inattentive ADHD. I am 52 and for decades have been told I am 'just' anxious, need to stop overthinking, need to relax more, need to be more like xyz. Following the assessment I decided not to go ahead with the medication long term because I have a few other chronic health issues one being a fucked up digestive system which has become worse during perimenopause. I found the adhd medication too harsh on my already messed up guts - I did not feel well. I also struggle with HRT as I have adenomyosis and endometriosis and HRT made things worse. I can not find anything atm to balance me out without feeling worse.
So I have kind of shelved the ADHD diagnosis and tried not to think about it which may a stupid thing to do as it's who I am but in all honesty I am not sure what to do with it. I told my husband (been together since we were 16 so he totally gets it). Told my elderly father who just rolled his eyes, mum has advanced Alzheimer's, she would have understood but I can't not tell her sadly. My sister also eye rolled although I am certain she has undiagnosed ASD, best friend also eye rolled so I have decided I will keep it to myself from now on.
The thing is what do you actually do with a diagnosis? I already feel my life is fucked, I didn't have a career becasue I couldn't stay in jobs long enough, they bored me senseless after a will as do most things, I find it hard to have staying power with anything. Tbh, although I had been convinced that I had adhd after my dd would send my endless Tik Toks and I could related to them all deep down I had convinced myself that I am that useless scatty-headed female who lives in a whirlwind and that's just because I am a pretty useless human being, I wasn't actually expecting the assessor to say that I score highly and I am definitely neurodiverse.
I can't afford any ADHD counselling and although I have joined a lot of the online communities and they are helpful (found my people for once in my life), I don't know how to carry on with this new information about myself. Nothing has changed, I am still me but the diagnosis hasn't brought me the calm mind and peace that I thought it would have so I'm just..............
If you are late diagnosed how has that impacted your life going forwards. I read others saying that allowed them to be kinder to themselves but I feel I always have but it's been others who haven't been so kind, for me it's my father and sister, they still don't 'buy' it so how can I move on when others don't 'get' it and they obviously feel that I am making excuses for myself.